A Tear And A Smile | Khalil Gibran Poem

Here's a wonderful poem by the great Khalil Gibran, the author of The Prophet. Hope you enjoy!

Gibran Khalil Gibran (January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931) , usually referred to in English as Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist, also considered a philosopher although he himself rejected the title.

For my dad.

Transcript

I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart for the joys of the multitude. I would not have the tears that sadness makes to flow for my every part turn into laughter. I would bet that my life remain a tear and a smile. A tear to purify my heart and give me understanding of life's secrets and hidden things. A smile to draw me nigh to the sons of my kind and to be a symbol of my glorification of the gods. A tear to unite me with those of broken heart. A smile to be a sign of my joy in existence. I would rather that I died in yearning and longing than that I live weary and despairing. I want the hunger for love and beauty to be in the depths of my spirit. For I have seen those who are satisfied the most wretched of people. I have heard the sigh of those in yearning and longing and it is sweeter than the sweetest melody. With evenings coming the flower folds her petals and sleeps embracing her longing. At morning's approach she opens her lips to meet the sun's kiss. The life of a flower is longing and fulfillment. A tear and a smile. The waters of the sea become vapor and rise and come together and airy a cloud. And the cloud floats above the hills and valleys until it meets the gentle breeze then falls weeping. To the fields and joints with brooks and rivers to return to the sea its home. The life of clouds is a parting and a meeting. A tear and a smile. And so does the spirit become separated from the greater spirit to move in the world of matter. The past has a cloud over the mountain of sorrow and the plains of joy to meet the breeze of death and return whence it came. To the ocean of love and beauty. To God.

Reviews

Beautiful..your voice and the guitar compliment the beauty of the words perfectly.

I love this track … are you playing the music and speaking or is someone else speaking? Their voice is perfect for this poem

What a truly beautiful reading of this profound poem. I am deeply moved. Thank you!

So lovely I thank you
You have a wonderful, soothing voice.

Loved this poem, image, and the way it was read 🙏🏾💚☀️